AFRICA: More than 1,300 migrants were rescued in 13 separate missions in the Mediterranean, bringing the total over the last three days to over 2,600. (Reuters)

AMERICAS: A federal judge in Washington State temporarily blocked enforcement of Trump’s controversial ban on entry to the United States. (WP)

ASIA: China warned the United States after Secretary Mattis said an island chain claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing was covered by a US-Japan military accord. (AFP)

EUROPE: Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bucharest and other Romanian cities as Romania’s anti-corruption protest entered its fourth day. (Guardian)

MIDDLE EAST: Defense Department officials acknowledged that the videos seized in this week’s commando raid in Yemen appear to be 10 years old. (NYT)

COMMUNICATION: As President Trump steps up his attacks on the “dishonest” press, major American media outlets are seeing an apparent resurgence after years of downward spiral. (AFP)

TOP STORY

US announces new sanctions against Iran

The United States announced new sanctions against Iran following a recent missile test.

The US Treasury Department said it was applying sanctions on 25 individuals and companies connected to Iran’s ballistic missile program and those providing support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Qods Force.

National Security Advisor Michael Flynn said, “The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate Iran’s provocations that threaten our interests,” and that the “international community has been too tolerant of Iran’s bad behavior.”

Mr. Trump refused to rule out military action against Iran, saying that “nothing is off the table.”

Tehran condemned the sanctions as illegal, and quickly responded with its own plan to impose reciprocal measures, including legal restrictions on US nationals and companies.